But Rio does have a reputation for crime and tourists can find themselves on the receiving end.

It is also a city of gaping inequality, with the poor packed into hillside shanty towns or favelas – kept out of sight, according to a Brazilian man who spoke to euronews on the streets of Rio.

“We have got the Olympics today. Nearby we have a favela but they simply put panels up to hide it and behind that all sorts of atrocities are happening and visitors can’t see it,” he said.

Our correspondent in Rio, Rafael Batista, said: “The opening of the Games was attended by less than half the number of leaders who were at the London Olympics in 2012. But in other respects, these are historic Olympics, with record numbers of athletes and countries taking part.”